Human Development, Family Studies, at California State University-Monterey Bay

CSU-Monterey Bay's Human Development program stands out for one compelling reason: its graduates carry just $12,408 in debt, placing it in the 95th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with more debt. While the $34,089 first-year salary won't impress anyone, it actually exceeds both the California median ($31,950) and national median ($33,543) for this field. Among California's 30 programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than five months of gross earnings—an enviable position for any recent graduate. This matters especially given that 43% of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many come from families where minimizing debt is critical. Compare this to the typical program nationally that saddles students with $25,000 in debt, and you see why this represents genuine value.

The reality check: Human Development simply isn't a high-earning field anywhere. Even California's top-earning program (CSU-East Bay at $41,195) won't make anyone wealthy. But if your child is committed to this path—perhaps toward social services, education, or family counseling—CSU-Monterey Bay delivers solid preparation without the debt trap that makes these careers financially untenable. The low debt matters more here than the modest salary.